Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre after meeting the bail conditions in the case against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
News360 Info gathered that Bello was released on Friday evening after meeting the ₦500m, and other bail conditions slammed against him by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed the development to PUNCH.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday).”
“The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed,” Duza said.
It would be recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), last Friday granted bail of ₦500 million to the former Governor of Kogi State.
The presiding Judge, Emeka Nwite, in his ruling ordered that Bello must produce two sureties in like sum, who must swear to an affidavit of means and must be owners of properties in Abuja.
Also, the High Court in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, granted bail to the embattled former Governor in the amount of ₦500 million, requiring two sureties of equivalent value.
Justice Maryann Anenih had previously denied the ex-governor’s bail request on December 10, citing that it was submitted prematurely. The request was however approved yesterday, leading to his release.
The bail conditions included providing three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
The court also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
News360 Info reports the former Kogi State Governor, along with Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, face a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property, brought by the EFCC.
All of them have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
